Aussie wrap-up: Moloney twins' rise continues

The Moloney brothers are seeking world honours after their latest wins. Anthony Cocks rounds up all the news from a busy month of action Down Under...

Newly installed WBA number one super flyweight Andrew ‘The Monster’ Moloney 20-0 (13) and his twin brother Jason ‘The Smooth One’ Moloney 19-1 (16) are expected to head to the USA for their next fights after scoring dual knockout victories at Seagulls Stadium in Tweed Heads, NSW on 25 June.

The newly-signed Top Rank contenders walked through their Tanzanian opponents after their original Mexican opponents were forced to withdraw with visa issues.

“It was really great to fight again in front of my home crowd,” said Jason, the WBA and WBC number three contender and IBF number six and WBO number eight challenger.

“Unfortunately we had a late change in opponent and I didn’t get to have the hard fight I wanted to have. I didn’t really get the chance to showcase what I am capable of. I’m still happy to walk away with another win and take another step closer to becoming world champion.

“I’m really excited to now start the next chapter of my career with Top Rank. My next fight will be in America, most likely around August, and we are hopeful that it may be for a world title.

“The WBA title has just become vacant and I would love the chance to fight the number one ranked Liborio Solis. Hopefully we are able to make this fight happen.”

Andrew overcame a reluctant opponent in Bangazia, who spat out his mouthpiece in the second round and refused to continue fighting.

“The fight didn’t go exactly how I would have liked as I didn’t get a chance to show the huge improvements I have made in the gym,” said Andrew to The Ring.

“My opponent felt my power and wanted out of the fight. The positive in the situation is I came out of the fight still fresh, with no injuries and I can get back into the gym on Monday and start working towards my next fight which I hope will be for the WBA junior bantamweight title.”

Manager Tony Tolj is confident the 28-year-old powerhouses will prove to be a marketable commodity in the US market.

“Andrew and Jason were as explosive as ever and they did what I expected them to do,” he said.

“They are amazing talents and I don’t believe anyone under world championship level is going to get close to troubling them. That’s why we have had to look abroad to get them tests and we are delighted to have linked up with Top Rank who I believe will provide the platform and opportunities the brothers need to become not just Australian, but global superstars.”

In other action Reagan Dessaix 17-2 (12) got back in the winners’ column with a seventh-round knockout of Michael Whitelaw 5-2-1 (2) to claim the vacant Australian light heavyweight crown in their 10-round bout.

Dessaix, 22, was coming off a competitive 10-round decision loss to world-rated Blake Caparello in February.

New Zealand super middleweight Mose Auimatagi Jr 13-1-2 (9) scored a sixth-round KO of crowd favourite Kerry Foley 19-5-1 (16) after dropping the Australian in the second round.

Adam Stowe 3-2-2 (3) and Maks Chylewski 3-3-2 (2) had to settle for a technical draw when their eight-round fight for the vacant NSW state super middleweight title was cut short in the third round after an accidental headclash causing a laceration above the left eye of Chylewski.

Lightweight Rachel Loder 4-0 (3) won by TKO2 in her eight-round bout against debutant Rebekah Radley for the vacant Australian 135lbs title.

When the dust settled, judge Derek Milham scored the bout 97-93, judge Adam Height had it 100-90, while judge Phillip Holiday turned in a card of 99-91.

Paro was installed as the WBO number two contender behind the UK’s Jack Catterall and the IBF number six for the month of June.

Paro is targeting a shot at WBO 140lbs champion Maurice ‘Mighty Mo’ Hooker 26-0-3 (17), who is scheduled to unify with WBC boss Jose Carlos Ramirez 24-0 (16) at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas on July 27.

“That fight against Keles was exactly the fight I needed to show what I can do,” said the 23-year-old southpaw. “Beating him has given me a huge boost – I’m ready for a world title shot.”

Trainer and manager Alfie Di Carlo was glowing in his praise for Paro.

“During the course of the fight Liam was required to dig to a place he hadn't needed to in his previous bouts,” he said.

“It was necessary for him to be smart in his approaches to overcome the willingness and power of the Turk.

“I believe that he matured during that fight and he came out the other side a winner and better for the experience.

“We could have easily chosen an easier opponent but as a team we want hard fights and this world rated opponent was the perfect choice.

“That fight showed that Liam is ready, so that when he gets his shot at the world title he will not be overwhelmed.“

On the same card Australian Jacob ‘The Flamingo’ Ng 11-0 (8) claimed the vacant IBF International belt with a comprehensive 10-rounds points victory over tough Mexican Ricardo Lara 19-6 (9).

Judge Derek Milham had it a shutout 100-90, while judges Adam Height and Phillip Hoilday agreed with scores of 99-91.

Former Australian cruiserweight champion Ben Kelleher 12-1-2 (4) turned back the challenge of American Patrick Ferguson 14-2-1 (11) to pick up the vacant IBF Pan Pacific title by unanimous decision after 10 frames.

Judges Derek Milham and Adam Height both saw the fight 97-93, while judge Phillip Holiday had it slightly closer at 96-94.

In other action Australian welterweight champion Tysinn Best 10-1 (3) suffered his first professional loss when he was knocked out by South Korean In Duck Seo 12-1-2 (7) in the opening round of their eight-round contest.

The Brisbane wrecking ball took the champion the full 10-round distance only to come up short on the scorecards 94-97, 97-93 and 92-92.

Trainer Russell Finn was disappointed with the result but promised Team Hobbs would only come back stronger from the experience.

“Deedee’s first loss and I couldn't be any prouder than I am right now,” he posted on social media. "No excuses, she fought the worst I have ever seen her fight and still took the world champion all the way. A huge learning curve for us both.”

“Couldn’t be prouder of our girl,” Keegan said. “She is absolutely devastated and hurting right now. She moved up weight, flew to the other side of the world and took the world champion 10 rounds, all for a shot at glory.

The 25-year-old Greek-Australian won every round and had Pena on the deck in the fourth frame.

"I fought a very smart, patient and explosive fight against a very tough young fighter who had an opportunity of a lifetime. Pena is a good young fighter who made a great account of himself with his long and awkward frame,” said the IBF number five and WBO number eight 135lb-er.

"I am a proud Greek and a proud Australian. Fighting in Athens, Greece, was an amazing experience," said Kambosos, who is promoted by DiBella Entertainment.

"This was another step toward a world title. My next fight will be in America. Jose Pedraza, I'm coming for you."

Super bantamweight contender April ‘Armageddon’ Adams 11-2-1 (4) travelled to Denmark to take on WBO 122lbs ruler Dina Thorslund 14-0 (6) at the Forum in Horsens on June 22.

The 31-year-old Queenslander dropped a 10-round unanimous decision by scores of 90-100 across the board.

Thorslund, 25, was making the second defence of the world title she won by shutout against tough Mexican Jessica Arreguin Munoz in August last year.

Former world title challenger Alex ‘Lionheart’ Leapai 32-8-4 (26) was stopped at 2:18 of the 10th round against Kiwi Joseph Parker 26-2 (20) at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island on 29 June.

Leapai didn’t win a round but hung tough after the early onslaught from the former WBO heavyweight champion to go late into the fight before referee Ricky Gonzalez waved off the contest.

WBO number five and WBA number nine Dunn, 28, had the Argentinean down in the opening frame before breaking him down and stopping him a round and a half before the scheduled journey.

Former world title challenger Tommy ‘The Titan’ Browne 41-7-2 (17) scored a 12-round virtual shutout against Argentinean veteran Jorge Daniel Miranda 56-19 (22) at Club Menangle in Menangle Park in NSW on 1 June. Judge Will Soulos had it 120-108, while Kevin Hogan had it 120-109 and Mick Heafey scored the fight 119-109.

Former amateur star Jason ‘Warrior’ Whateley 5-0 (4) claimed the vacant Victorian state title with a sixth-round TKO of former heavy-handed fringe contender Victor Oganov 32-7 (30) in an eight-round contest at The Timber Yard in Port Melbourne, Victoria on 1 June.

Oganov was down twice before being stopped by the referee at 0:49 of the sixth stanza.

At the Acacia Ridge Hotel in Brisbane, Queensland on 28 June junior welterweight James MacDonald 11-3-1 (6) stopped veteran Mick ‘Pony’ Shaw 27-20-4 (8) in the fourth round of their sixth-round contest after a headclash broke Shaw’s nose and his corner threw in the towel.

Heavyweight prospect Joseph Goodall moved to 6-0 (5) with a first-round stoppage of India’s Sumit Rangi 4-2-1 (2) in their six-round bout. Goodall landed series of rights which left Ranji defenceless. The towel came in at 2:49.

Junior welterweight Blake Minto 12-1-2 (2) scored a 10-round unanimous decision victory over former state champion Gearoid Clancy 10-7 (2) at Wests City Club in Newcastle, NSW on June 22. Scores were 98-92, 97-93 and 99-91.

Queensland middleweight champion Matthew ‘Damage’ Hartmann 3-1-4 (1) had to settle for another draw against Brent Moore 4-6-3 (4) at the Deception Bay Bowls Club in Deception Bay, Queensland on 22 June when the ringside physician halted the fight after two completed rounds due to severe lacerations to Moore’s right eye. The pair had previously fought a five round split draw in May last year.

Junior middleweight Salih Ozdemir 1-2 claimed the first win of his professional career along with the vacant NSW state title with an eight-round split decision victory over the more fancied Michael Pengue 4-1 (3) at Club Punchbowl in Sydney on June 21. Scores were 78-74, 77-73 and 75-76.

On the same show cruiserweight Ben Sila 7-0 (4) stopped Parminder Singh 1-1 (1) after the Indian’s corner threw in the towel at 2:23 of the sixth and final round. Sila was leading 48-47 on all three cards at the time of the stoppage.

Southpaw heavyweight Kris Terzievski 8-0-1 (7) banged out Viliamu Motusaga 0-4 in the second round of an eight-round contest an eight-round contest at the Melbourne Pavilion in Melbourne, Victoria on June 15.

At light heavyweight David Drapac 7-1 (3) defeated Deok No Yun 3-1 (2) on points after six frames.

Bailey ‘Bam Bam’ Mannix 5-0 (3) picked up the vacant NSW junior middleweight title with an eight-round shutout victory over Ryan Cotton 2-2-2 (2) at the Doyalson-Wyee RSL Club in Doyalson, NSW on 15 June. Scores were 80-72 twice and 80-71.